Car-unloader.



E. H. KIDDER.

CAR UNLOADER.

APPLICATlON FILED JUNE 1, 1915.

1,1?6,966, Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- BY fix/WW E. H. KIDDER.

CAR UNLOADER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1. 1915.

Paten ted Mar. 28, 1916.

I IVVEIVTOI? E/Mh 4 4124 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESS v v ,4 TTOR/VEY E. H. KmDER.

CAR UNLOAD'ER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1' I915- Patented Mar. 28,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3-.

' WITNESS INVENTOR /'ATTORNEIZ part of this specification.

UNITED SATES PATENT oFFrcE.

IlLWIN H. KIDDER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CAR-UNLOADER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELWIN H. KIDDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, inthe county of Cook and State ofimprovements in i may be tilted lengthwise and laterally simultaneously; to provide a cradle mounted on a tilting table; said cradle being oscillatable about an axis coinciding with the center line of draft of the car.

.Other and more specific objects of the invention are to provide clamps for the ends of the cars, which clamps are mounted on the table and automatically simultaneously, operated; to provide automatically operated means for wedging the sides of the car when the latter is tilted sidewise; to provide gearing whereby the table may be tilted, the

cradle oscillated, the end clamps operated, and the'side wedges operated, all from a single motor; and to so arrange the pivotal axis of the tilting table that certain of the driving mechanism passes therethrough.

The invention,'furthermore, consists in the improvements inall parts and devices, and

in the novel combinations of the parts and devices, as herein shown, described or claimed.

In the drawing forming a part-of this specification, Figurel is a side elevation of a mechanism embodying my improvements, a car being shown thereon. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the table of the: mechanism, the

cradle and clamps being removed. Fig. 3

is an end elevation of the structure, illustrated in Fig. 1; thedotted lines showing the position of the car when the same is tilted sidewise. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 14 of Fig.2. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 4, the winding drum being shown in dotted lines in order to prevent obscuring certain of the mechanism. Fig. 6

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Mar. as, 1916.

A lication-filed June 1,1915. Serial No. 31,492.

is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially on the lines 6-6 of Fig. 3, and Fig.7 is a detail vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2 1n said drawing. The tilting table is designated generally by the reference A; the oscillatable cradle by the reference B; the end clamps by the reference C, and the side wedges by the reference D, as shown. The

tilting table A; preferably comprises a pair of longitudinal extending side girders 10-10, each of which may consist of a vertical plate suitably braced at the top and bottom by angles, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3. A plurality of vertically arranged angle braces 11-11 are provided, as shown in Fig. 1. The tilting table A is pivotally mounted by means of a heavy hollow pivot or shaft 12, the latter being mounted in suitableheavy bearings 13-13 on the tops of posts or piers l4.1&. The said girders 10-10 are braced and rigidly connected by a plurality of transversely-extending beams 15-15 (see Fig. 2). Exceptfor the end transverse connecting members 15, the remaining connecting members 15 are arranged 1n four pairs, asshown in Fig. 2,for the purposes hereinafter specified. 1

By referring to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be seen that secured to the under side of the tilting table are two segmental racks 16'16,

suitably braced and strengthened by angles 17-17 cooperating with each of the segmental racks1616, the latter being located centrally of the table, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is a gear 18. The gears 18 are mounted on transversely extending shafts 1919,

the latter at their outer ends being provided with beveled gears20-20, with which mesh beveled gears 21-21 on the lower ends of a pair of downwardly inclined shafts 2222, the latter at their upper end having beveled gears 2323 meshing with a driving bevel .gear 24.- mounted on the main driving shaft 25. At itsxouter end the driving shaft 25 is provided with a worm gear located in the housing 26, the worm gear being driven by a worm indicated by dotted lines at 27 in Fig. 3, the worm 27 being preferably secured to the armature shaft of a motor indicated at 28. Interposed between the worm gear drive, above described, and the bevel gear 24 is a friction clutch indicated conventionally at 29.

From the preceding description, it will be seen that the table maybe tilted in either desired direction by the mechanism described, and that the same will be held in any adjusted position due to the gearing erably consists of four semi-circular builtup frames 30, a detail sectionof one of them being shown in Fig. 6. Each frame 30 comrises parallel spaced plates 32-32 reinorced along their edges by angle irons 33-133 and 34. The .outer angle irons 33 are semi-circular and form the periphery of the frame 30; the angle irons 133 are arranged diagonally; and' the angle irons 34 horizontally. At their end portions, the plates are tied by I-beams 31-31 and at their central portions by intermediate braces 13 alined with the longitudinally extending I- beams 35 which connect the frame members 30-30, whereby the latter are rigidly tied together and simultaneously operated. On top of the I-beams 35-35 are mounted short sections of rails 36-36, spaced a standard distance apart, and adapted to aline with railroad tracks at the ends of the table when the latter is in a horizontal normal position. The cradle is mounted on a plurality of rollers, 37, 38 and 39, the rollers 37 for supporting the end members 30, being double, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2. The rollers 39, of which there are two, are single rollers, and are on that side of the cradle opposite to that where the gearing for oscillating the same is found. The rollers 38 have preferably cast integrally therewith gears 40, arranged to cotiperate with a pair of segmental racks 41-41 formed on the two intermediatebuilt'up members 30. The rollers 37 and .39 are mounted on short shafts suitably mounted in bearings on the transversely extending members 15. The combined rollers 38 and gears 40 are fixed to longitudinally arranged shafts4242,the latter at their adjacent ends being provided, with beveled gears 43, meshing with abevel gear 44 secured to the inner end of a transversely extending shaft 45, located above the main pivot 12. At its outer end the shaft 45 isprovided with a gear 46, meshing with a pinion 47 secured tothe main driving shaft 25. v

- From the preceding description, it will be seen that the cradle B is tilted laterally or sidewise from the main shaft 25, through the intermediary of the gears 47, 46, shaft 45, bevels 44 and 43, shafts 42-42, gears 40, and segmental racks 41. It will also be noted that the arrangement is such that the tilting of the cradle and tilting of the table may be accomplished simultaneously.

To clamp the car after the same has been run onto the unloading mechanism apair of clamps C is provided, the same being shown mostclearly in Figs. 4 and 5. -As shown,

gagement with the teeth 62.

each end clamp. comprises a heavy arm or lever 48, pivotedlon a pin 49; the pin 49 having its ends mounted in suitable bearings 50, secured to the tops of two channels 51-51, connected at their ends by cross channels 52-52, the channels 51, 52, forming a rigid, rectangular frame. A horizontally arranged I-beam 53, extends between the channels, 51, and forms an abutment for the lower end of the lever 48.. The frame formed by the channels 51 and 52 is mounted on a plurality of rolls 54 which ride between the flanges of I-beams 55, forming a part of the table A. The rolls 54 are mounted on shafts 56. Mounted on the shafts '56, and between the rolls and the channels 51 arelongitudinally extending plates, 57, the same having elongated slots 58 to accommodate the shafts 56 and permit of an independent movement of the plates 57, relative to the shafts 56, and frame formed by the channels. Along their lower edges the plates 57 are provided with angles 157 having secured thereto racks 59 with which mesh gears 60 on a transversely extending shaft 61, mounted in suitable bearings carried by the table A. On the upper faces of the I-beams 55, are series of teeth or stops 62, with which 006 erate a pair of heavy pawls or dogs 63, plvoted at 64 to thearm 48. Each of the dogs63, on its inner face, is provided with a pin 65, by which .the dog ls-adapted to be lifted out of engagement with the teeth or rack 62, by means. of a beveled plate 66, secured toa plate 57', it being understood that there are two bevel plates 66, one for each do in the upper end of the &1

about a horizontal axis,"-' -a eupshdpd member 67 adapted to fit, over the couplers of a car. Mounted between the gears the shaft 61 is a drum 68, over "which is adapted towind, a' cord 69, attached at its other end to the arm or post 48. (See Fig. 5). The shafts 61-61 are operated by means of bevels 70, at the ends thereof, the

qlatter meshingwith other bevels 71-71, at

the outer ends. of longitudinally arranged shafts 72, the latter at their inner ends being provided with bevels 73, meshing with a bevel gear 74 at the end of the main shaft 25, which extends through the hollow pivot 12. A friction clutch 75 is interposed between the shaft 25 and the bevel 74.

The operation of the clamps C is, as follows: Assuming the clamps in operative position, as. shown by'the full lines in Fig. 1, to release the same, the shafts 61 are driven by the gearing, above described, thus causing the side plates 57-57 to move longitudinally and independently of the frame to' which the post 48 is pivoted. As this movement takes-place the bevel plates 66 engage the pins 65 and lift'the dogs 63 out of en- Simultaneously, the cord 69 which is slack at the beginning is wound about the drum 68, thus pulling the arm or post 48 down to a horizontal position, swinging it about its pivot 49, As

soon as the dogs 63 have been released, the entire frame by which the post i8 is carried may move longitudinally with the plates 57 until the parts assume the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. I

In actuating the end clamps C to operative position after the car has been run onto the table, the following operations take place: The shafts 61 with the gears 60 thereon are rotated in the reverse direction previously described for releasing the clamps. This unwinds thecords 69, permitting the arms or posts as to gradually assume an upright position, due to the fact that the latter are counterbalanced. by having an excess of metal at the lower portions thereof. At the same time the frames which support the posts are both moved inwardly simultaneously toward the ends of the car, and this movement continues until the members 67 engage the couplers, thus preventing the upper ends of the posts {18 from moving inwardly any farther. The frames supporting theposts will, in their inward movement,

drag the dogs 63 over the racks 62 until further movement is impossible and the posts are rigidly braced by the dogs 63. WVhen the clamps are in operative position, the frames and parts associated therewith are retained by means of the operating mechanism. In this connection, it'may be observed that' the diameters of the drums 68 are considerably greater than those of the gears 60, so that the cords 69 will be wound and unwound faster than the travel of the frames which carry the posts 48. For this reason, there is provided considerable slack in the cords 69 when the posts are in operative position, which slack is taken up during the initial movements of the frames 5152. Similarly, in actuating the clamps to operative position, the cords 69 will be unwound fast enough to permit the posts 68 to 7 ing excessively whenthe cradle B is oscilassume their vertical position prior to the full inward travel of the frames which carry them.

' To wedge the car and prevent it from tiltlated, the wedges D are provided along one side, there being four of the wedges D, one for each of the built-up semi-circular frames 30. As shown most clearly in Fig. 6, each derstood, is adapted to slide up and down' on the inner angles 33-33, and to accomwedge D is of substantially T shape, and has the extension 76 fitting between the inner angles forming part of the semi-circular member 30. Each wedge D, as will be unplish this automatically, I provide a cord 77 for each wedge, each of said cords 77, passing up and over an idler 78 and connected at its other end to one of the rollers 37 or 38. As the rollers 37 and 38 rotate to tilt the cradle B to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the cords 77 will be unwound and thereby permit the wedges to slide down the inclined bracing members,

and thereby wedge the car. When the cradle which coincides with the center line of draft of the car. It will be furthermore noted that the end clamps for the car which permit of the foregoing method of tilting of the car, are secured to the table A, and not to the cradle. This results inrelieving the cradle of heavy longitudinal str'ains whichwould otherwise occur when the table is tilted.

As shown in Fig. l, I have provided simple means for supporting the table in normal position, the same being duplicated at each end thereof, and consisting of a pivot arm 81 adapted to engage the underside of the table; said arm 81 being operated by a link 82 and lever 83. v

I claim:

1. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with a tiltable table, of a cradle oscillatably mounted on said table, and clamps for holding a car on said cradle, the clamps being arranged to engage the car couplers and the cradle oscillating relatively to the table about an axis passing through the couplers of thecar.

2. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with a tiltable table, of a cradle oscillatably mounted on said table, and pivoted clamps mounted on and supported by said table, arranged to engage the car couplers and permit the car to oscillate with the cradle.

3. In mechanism of the character .described, the combination with a tiltable table, of a car holding cradle oscillatably mounted on said table, pivoted clamps mounted on and supported by said table and arranged to engage the car couplers, and mechanism for simultaneously moving said clamps to operative and inoperative positions.

it. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with a tiltable table, of a cradle oscillatably mounted on said table, means for actuating the table and cradle to tilt a car both longitudinally and transversely, and wedging devices associated with said cradle positioned between it and the sides of a car to support the latter when the car is tilted' transversely, said wedging devices being automatically operated during the oscillation of the cradle.

pivot pin, said table having depending seg mental racks of a cradle oscillatably mounted on said table, means for clamping a car at the ends thereof, and mechanism for tilting said table, oscillating said cradle and actuating said clamping means, said mechanism including a driving shaft extending through said hollow pivot pin.

6. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with a tiltable table, of a cradle movably mounted on said table, means foractuating the table and cradle to tilt a car both longitudinally and transversely, and supporting devices associated With saidrcradle and positioned between it and the sides of a car to support the latter when the car is tilted transversely, said supporting devices being operated simultaneously with and by the same mechanism employed to move the cradle.

7 In mechanism of the character described, the combination with a tiltable table mounted on a transversely extending hollow pivot pin, of a cradle mounted on said-table, means for clamping a car at the ends thereof, and mechanism for tilting said table and cradle, said mechanism including ashaft extending through said hollow pivot pin In witness that I claim the foregoin I have hereunto subscribed my name this 2 th day of May, 1915.

ELWIN H. KIDDER.

Witness:

JOSEPH HARRIS. 

